Southern Seas of the Kingdom of Metallica – Above
Flying high above, I searched for the Grand Hate Prison. If I got too close to the Kingdom of Metallica, I would be met with strange lasers, so I kept my distance. I barely spotted the island of Metallica with my eyes and headed south. The direction relied on items, but at this height, I should find it soon.
“Will lasers fire if we get close to the Grand Hate Prison?”
“They will.”
“Then we have no choice but to break through. Kurinka, are you okay?”
“I don’t have much confidence in dodging. I think it’ll be up to you, Lua-chan. Lasers are incredibly fast, and you’re the only one who can handle them.”
According to Platiu, the defenses around the prison were not much different from those of the Metallica mainland. No matter how fierce the attacks were, it wouldn’t matter if the walls were harder than orichalcum. If it came down to it, I could just destroy them. Meria said that the Divine Nature is the concept itself, and in a way, the destruction within me only brings about results. It ignores the logic of “the iron melted because it was heated to a certain degree” and simply “destroys.” Therefore, no matter what it is, only the result of “destruction” remains. It doesn’t matter if it’s orichalcum or Elmera’s Imagination Magic, the result is just that I destroyed the Imagination Magic aimed at me.
“Vandalsia erased my leg strength, right? They say the Divine Nature makes the impossible possible. So leave it to me.”
“Pfft, you’ve been making the impossible possible even before you realized your Divine Nature.”
“But I feel like I’ve been helped countless times without realizing it. When I first escaped from Ikana Village and was attacked by monsters, when I fought against an incredibly tough monster in the Abyss Cave, and when I battled a monster without a physical form. Until now, I thought I could get stronger by training, but I think it was because of the Power of Destruction.”
“But I believe you could have made it this far even without the Power of Destruction.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely. I can’t quite put it into words, but you’ve always managed to handle everything, Lua-chan. That’s why I understand how off-base the Guild’s Adventurers can be.”
That might be true. When I fought against the shapeless monsters like Mist, I had to think creatively to blow them away and scatter them. It was the same when I fought Vandalsia in the lowest layer. Just having the Power of Destruction wouldn’t have been enough. The way to fight is something that can only be learned through experience.
“Level caps and growth rates vary from person to person. So I can understand the jealousy.”
“Platiu and I have high levels too, but… if I were in their position, I might understand their feelings a bit.”
If my level hadn’t increased, I might have died in the Abyss Cave. I regretted getting a bit heated and saying harsh things to the Adventurers at the Guild. I wondered what my level cap was. The other day, I checked my level with the Detect Ring.
【Lua Lv: 2300 Class: Swordfighter Rank: A HP: 44115】
“I’m relieved it went up, but it’s not as much as I expected.”
“What are you talking about? Compared to when you were level 2216, you’ve gained over 40 HP with each level up. Eeks is level 521 with 7200 HP. I don’t know what his HP was at level 1, but it’s probably only increased by about 10 to 20. You’re gaining 40 per level! Forty!”
“Okay, okay, just keep your eyes on where you’re flying… If Eeks hears that, he’ll be down in the dumps.”
“Haha, right. Let’s keep that a secret.”
At this level, I wouldn’t expect much of an increase even when fighting someone of Aboro’s caliber. Rather, I comforted myself by thinking that I wouldn’t level up unless I fought someone of that class. If a foe appeared that I couldn’t defeat in my current state, I’d think about it then. Yeah.
“If only I had a Machine Maiden, I could fight.”
“Platiu, don’t worry about it. As long as I’m here, you can feel completely safe.”
“I wish I could make another one.”
“Make another one? Wasn’t that made by Corin? Oh, by the way, Genia mentioned that Platiu made it herself.”
“The base was Corin, and the finishing touches were done by Platiu. Then I customized it.”
“I see… But I won’t let you fight again, especially not with a Machine Maiden like that…”
After that, Platiu fell silent. I meant what I said from the bottom of my heart, but Platiu truly wanted to be of help. However, I didn’t want her to fight with something that could mess people up so badly. Besides…
“It’s okay for Kurinka to fight.”
“…!”
“Is it?”
“That’s because we promised each other.”
“Then promise me.”
“Uh… okay.”
“Lua helped me, so Platiu can’t help?”
“Lua-chan… I understand the sympathy of feeling sorry for you, but that’s discrimination. I want to respect that will.”
Kurinka was probably reflecting on herself. If she were told something like that, she might be thinking along those lines.
“If we’re going to bind anyone, it would be with Corin. Platiu isn’t ours to control. We just need to agree.”
“I see, that makes sense…”
Feeling the warmth of Platiu pressed against my back, I gazed at the white circular building coming into view. It had a flat, bun-like shape, topped with a crown, giving off an air of superiority. There were hardly any windows, and the inorganic white stood out starkly against the vast sea. I didn’t need to be told; that was the Grand Hate Prison.
Despite its impressive name, a beautiful ring encircled the round building. From above, it was hard to tell, but that ring was a high wall. Impossible to invade, impossible to escape. It wasn’t just the height that told the story. Countless laser ports aimed at us from above.
“Kurinka! Don’t panic! I’ll handle everything!”
The straight beam of light, like a Sonic Spear, was incredibly fast. But it wasn’t as fast as I thought. I swung wide to intercept the incoming lasers and used them as a shield to advance. Even while deflecting, I continuously swung my sword.
The laser attacks themselves were nothing to worry about, but the light hurt my eyes. I thought it would be an easy win, but then iron tubes began to rain down from above. Missiles. Just getting close triggered this; I wondered what would happen to anyone who didn’t have business with the prison. They didn’t care at all, even using children like Platiu and abandoning them.
“I can’t protect anyone without causing trouble!”
I swung my sword in a crescent motion, spinning it around. In a fit of anger, I unleashed Sonic Rippers in all directions. The attacking lasers and missiles, of course, and the force of it reached the prison’s outer wall. Naturally, no matter how thick it was, the Sonic Ripper couldn’t destroy it at this point. Even without using the Power of Destruction, I turned a large area of the wall into rubble. With each clash of my long-range slashes, the wall screamed.
While I was at it, I might as well destroy the laser ports. Kurinka charging in without hesitation was proof that she trusted me. The distance between us quickly closed, and the wall surrounding us like a ring couldn’t withstand the power of the Sonic Ripper, transforming into an entrance. The wall that was supposed to block intruders now seemed to welcome us in surrender.
“If I wanted to, I could probably destroy the prison itself.”
“Well, there might be people taken from Avangarde inside.”
“Just kidding. Now, let’s charge in. Platiu, do you have any idea where Director Terrace might be?”
“At the very bottom, underwater.”
I wanted to ask again, but I would find out as soon as we entered. Even after breaking through the outer wall, I couldn’t feel that the building visible from the outside was that large. That round building was smaller than Avangarde’s castle, so the answer was underground.
Grand Hate Prison – 1st Floor
As soon as we burst in through the broken wall, a loud noise echoed. It sounded like a woman moaning, almost like a scream, maintaining a certain length before fading and ringing out again.
“How annoying, what is this sound?”
“It’s a siren. It sounds when something abnormal occurs.”
――――1st Floor, North Area: Abnormality Detected! Intruder Confirmed――――
――――Analyzing the situation, raising security level to maximum――――
――――Alert Level, UNKNOWN! Alert Level, UNKNOWN――――
The door in front of me slid shut, and from the corners of the ceiling and floor of the hallway, something sprouted all at once. Those tentacle-like things formed an X and opened a cannon-like hole in the center. I think I’ve seen this before.
“Here they come.”
【Gate Guardian x2 has appeared! HP: 10000】
Those weapons that block the passage and attack in a straight line. The speed at which electricity generated in the hole was shot out was several times faster than what I had seen inside the Matere Trading Company’s building. That one had initially looked like a spider.
【Gate Guardian x2 fired a plasma beam!】
【Lua unleashed a Sonic Spear! Dealt 8439210 damage to Gate Guardian x2!】
“I’ve gotten faster, but there’s still room for improvement.”
【Two Gate Guardians defeated! HP 0/10000】
With just a slight twist of my body, I can unleash the Sonic Spears to the left and right at high speed. The Gate Guardians vanish beautifully, revealing the corridor once more.
“Looks like it’s being guarded by machines.”
“Not many humans around here. Just the warden and a few others.”
“Warden?”
“Jahhahhah! That warden, Jarmon, is me!”
A rather grating voice echoed through the air. I figured he wasn’t here in person; it was clear he was speaking from somewhere else.
“The security level is at its maximum, a first since this prison was established! It’s also the first time since I took office! What a show of hostility! Perhaps my prison has been eagerly awaiting someone like you! Grand Hate! I feel like I’m saying I will accept your challenge!”
“Kurinka, another strange talker has appeared.”
“Even in a country like Metallica, there are people like that.”
“Warden Jarmon. He was the chief in the technology development room where Genia is, but he got sent here. He did terrible things to women, which made Genia angry. Corin was angry too.”
Platiu explained it simply, but I couldn’t care less. I just wanted to smash everything in my path, but then I felt a hand on my arm. It was Kurinka, silently asking me to wait.
“You’ve boldly intruded, but all your information is wide open! The retrieval of Director Terrace will never come to pass!”
“Uh, Warden Jarmon. Is that intruder a girl, a young girl?! Hah, hah…”
“That’s right, Kuharasse. I understand your feelings, but first, let those kids have a tour of the prison.”
“Pu pu pu, Platiu is here too, isn’t she?! Hee hee hee, since Genia isn’t around, now’s a good time… Hah, hah, hah…”
“Calm down. We’re comrades assigned here together. First, listen to what I say, okay?”
“Kuharasse. Former Metallica soldier, rank Private First Class. He did terrible things to women, which made Genia angry. Corin was angry too.”
I would be angry too. It was so disgusting I wanted to leave. Why are there people like that even in the Kingdom of Metallica? Anyone would be furious, not just Genia. I understood Elmera’s feelings of wanting to kill.
“So, both of you! This is a rare opportunity! Would you like to know what kind of facility this prison is?”
“Huh? I don’t care about that. I’ll just destroy all of you…”
“Since it’s a rare chance, maybe I should indulge a little.”
As I let my anger take over, Kurinka stopped me again. If I spoke here, they would catch on, and while I wanted to ask, I couldn’t. I understood I should follow their lead for now.
“Oh, that’s a good mindset.”
“I want to know various things.”
“Various, various! Hih, hihih!”
The urge to obliterate the entire prison surged within me. I wondered how Kurinka managed to suppress it.
“That’s right, it’s better to comply. Along with my brothers in the Zodiac, I know very well how terrible my own personality is… If I’m not careful, I might even kill what you seek.”
Kurinka winked at me. Just as Jarmon had said. But if they intended to kill us, they would have done so from the start, we three had discussed. Since we were still alive, there had to be a reason. That meant the hidden location of Virus. If Platiu was right, they wouldn’t kill us so easily. It would be better to comply and move once we had a rough idea of the location.
“By the way, Rua. What kind of terrible things? Genia, won’t you tell me?”
“I don’t know.”
Platiu tugged at her pinky. I didn’t know, nor did I want to.
◆ Shin Report ◆
Ah, why is it like this?
If Terrace is in danger, I shouldn’t have charged in from the start.
But then again, sneaking in is out of the question.
There’s no way these two could pull that off.
I want to advise them, but it feels really uncomfortable.
What do you mean by terrible things?
Fools are just kids, it’s obvious what that means.
Pulling ears, kicking from behind,
Forcing hugs! Kisses! Kisses!
Ouch, I’m feeling really, really embarrassed now.
To carve such indecent things into a report is shameful.
Shin is a naughty one, oh demon lord, forgive me.
Still, kissing someone like Rua, aside from Kurinka,
The world is still so vast.
Monster Compendium
【Gate Guardian HP 10000】
A defensive weapon developed from the Proto Guardian for indoor protection. Unlike the prototype, it is specialized in preventing intrusions and repelling intruders. The time from activation to plasma beam firing has been shortened to approximately one-third, taking only 0.8 seconds. By the time it is visually detected, it has already reached a point where countermeasures are impossible.